<<sigh>> So, it looks like DD2 (4m) hates buggies and prams just as much as DD1 did, but worse, she doesn't even like a sling!

[Bodkin]

So I have resorted to carrying her around everywhere - which looks a little odd as she is normally wearing a pink all-in-one fleecy bunny suit (I know, I know, it was a gift, but it's warm and cosy) so it kinda looks like I've won her at the fair

Joking aside, what can I do to persuade her that the wheel is a brilliant invention? Or that the sling is the thing?

Have tried and tried with a dummy but she thinks it's the devil's work. Have bought a lovely cosy fleece to sit on but she's too busy screaming to notice.

what sling do you have? what position do you use?

We've got a Baby Bjorn - she was fine when she was teeny weeny in it, but she seems to hate all the palaver of being put in it now. I even borrowed a friend's pouch sling to try, but no success there either (although it may just have been a bad time to try - the friend was reluctant to part with the sling for long enough for me to give it a proper go)

But I would really like to crack the pushchair/pram issue as well.

hmm. dd2 (5mo) isn't keen on pushchair either - i tend to only put her in when she's in a good mood and take a sling too, so when she inevitably kicks off i can swap her out and save a complete meltdown. i think as with most baby related stuff it's just a question of being patient enough, keep trying but don't push it when she's clearly getting into a state. i'm sure it'll work itself out in time (mine and yours).

what position does she like to be carried in? depending on how close they are to sitting unaided, between 4-6 months is a good time to start hip carrying. they get the closeness of cwtshing up to you, but can still see plenty. it also keeps them out of your way if you want to get on with stuff at home. a pouch is a good choice for a minimum fuss hip carry, although i'd want to keep a spare arm around them most of the time. keep knees up and bum down to stop her slipping out. you have to make sure it fits you properly and practice lots with a teddy so it's a fairly smooth action when you do try it with baby. can talk hind leg off donkey if you want any more ideas sling-wise

What's cwtshing? Or is that a typo?! I do think a pouch sling is probably the way to go - they seem to be minimum fuss and she does like to be carried on my hip these days. I've looked in to them a bit - but not sure what type to get... fleece? padded leg rails? Was even considering making my own but sewing machine is up the spout. Any advice really appreciated

BTW, sorry, I'm nosey, but your DD is just beautiful!

lol is welsh for cuddle

have had lots of slings but never a single pouch. from what i've read fit is definitely the key and if you were able to make one would be ideal as you could experiment with sizing. you want to make sure babe is sitting above your waist, any lower will increase strain on back.

my personal preference for a hip carry is a short woven wrap, which you could make very easily from a length of fabric/old sheet no sewing required.

dd2 has wonderful surprised look when she's just woken up. i love your pic of your girls - i've got an almost identical one of mine on my phone

Hi again, sorry I didn't get back to you last night, but I suddenly realised the time and thought if I was planning on getting any sleep at all, I better get to bed ASAP!

Cwtshing - well you learn something new everyday - how's that pronounced then?

Have phoned up sewing machine repair man this morning, so will have a go at knocking one up - thanks for the tip on positioning - will make sure she's nice and high up

Not sure about how she would take to being wrapped up - she's really not keen on straps or wraps - has got used to the freedom of being carried I suppose (she likes to be facing out, balanced on my hip with my arm round her tummy) but would be interested to hear how it works all the same.

no worries - believe me if dd2 hadn't been feeding again i'd have been in bed too

here's an example of the kind of carry i mean. need a reasonable spread around bum to hold them in, but can have arms out (and then tuck them in if they fall asleep). i like it because unlike a pouch/ring sling it doesn't hang all the weight from your shoulder/back, it spreads it to your hips as well. not so much of an issue now but perhaps relevant if she doesn't get any keener on the pushchair.

most hip carries are face-in and you may find you naturally tend more towards that as she gets heavier, but you could think about a hip seat, which would work to transfer her weight to your hips and keep your back straight. again, not one i've tried because i prefer to be hands free, but i have friends who love theirs. sounds like your dd2 would like it as no wrapping or fuss at all involved.

cwtsh = cootsh

Ok, that looks easy enough to do... do you think it would work to have her facing out, as that is really how she loves to be? And also - it says 10ft of material, but there seems to be a lot spare - do you think I could get away with less? Hmm, I've got an old pashmina somewhere I can have a go with when she wakes up

i've managed with just-enough-to-tie-the-knot-and-not-an-inch-to-spare. works fine

the thing about facing out is to be comfy and properly secured they need a good spread under the bum and knees right up, pretty much in a sitting position iyswim. if you wanted to do facing out i'd go with running the wraps over her shoulders and arms out the sides if that makes sense, so there's something restraining her from just tipping forwards out of it (hurling themselves backwards out of wraps is much harder although some do like to try )

With a lsing, you need to get the right 'frog leg' leg position - bum and hips below knees. Don't think a baby bjorn is good for this at all - always think babies look really uncomfy in them. WOuld second idea of a wrap sling: as she gets older you can try a back carry which DS loves as he can look over my shoulder at everything going on (also good if you need to do things and get your DD out of the way).

I was going to suggest a hip carry too but I had a special hip carrier that I used for my Ds who also didn't like the pushchair much and wasn't keen on the pouch carry position either.

I used a hip carrier that is specialised so can't be used in any other position but it was incredibly easy to use and both dh and I used it loads to carry ds. This idea looks more flexible though.

I never really mastered the back carry position as I liked to be able to sit down when out too much and found getting ds on and off my back was too much of a pain. With a hip carry he could just perch on my lap if I sat down.

good luck